All roads accessing Mt. LeConte’s trailheads are open to start this weekend. The gateway communities are bustling with traffic because of the holiday weekend, so count on congestion in and around the park. There is going to be a break in the rainy action this morning, but more showers are expected to pass through around lunchtime. With this next band of precip comes the anticipated drop in temperatures and also a chance of snow showers. Throughout the day the mercury will go from lower 40s down into the teens by tonight. Sunday will not get above freezing even with the sun’s return. Winds will be a nagging presence again today, really amplifying the shift to cold. Gusts of 30mph will have windchill factors down around 0°.
This is not the day to hit the trail unprepared for the conditions. Layers for staying warm and dry from head to toe, along with traction devices, will be a must for anyone staying overnight or hoping to navigate the mountain as safely and comfortable as possible. If you are a miserable soaking shivering wet rat arriving at the top without a cabin tied to your name, you have no one to blame but yourself for choosing to be outside in such conditions unprepared. Reminder that tonight is the last supper served at 6:15 PM, as tomorrow we’ll bump it up to 6:00 PM through to the end of the season.
Be safe and have a great day.
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